Honeymoon

Chapter 59

THE TALL BLOND woman quickly turned her face away as Nora walked by. They were so close, she could feel the heat of the other woman’s body. This was a dangerous moment. No, this was a mistake on her part.

The blonde had been sitting at the bar at Vong, sipping a martini and watching Nora the entire time. She was sure she’d been witnessing a date—probably a first one, given the body language. She couldn’t hear the conversation, but it was clear they were getting along.

Which made Nora’s sudden exit all the more puzzling.

Minutes passed. The blonde stabbed at the olive in her martini with a toothpick, her mind allowing for the various possibilities. Nora leaving momentarily to make a call, for instance. More plausible was her going out for a quick smoke. Then again, she’d yet to see Nora with a cigarette in her hand.

The woman looked back over at the table where Nora’s date sat, waiting. He certainly is a good-looking guy, she thought. He kind of looks like—

“Excuse me,” came a voice over her shoulder.

She turned to see a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair. He was wearing a turtleneck, sport coat, and way too much aftershave.

She glanced up at him, not saying anything, waiting.

He put his hand on the empty stool next to her. “Is this seat taken?”

“I don’t believe so.”

He flashed a cheesy grin and sat down. “Hard to believe there could be a vacancy next to such a very pretty woman,” he said while positioning his forearm on the bar. He leaned into her. “Can I buy you another drink?”

“I haven’t finished this one yet.”

“That’s okay, I’ll wait,” he said, nodding confidently. “All night, if I have to.”

The blonde threw him a flirtatious smile and then lifted her martini. She poured it over his head.

“There, all done,” she said.

She got up and walked away. But not toward the door. Convinced that Nora wasn’t returning, she headed for the table where her date remained sitting alone.

“Excuse me, are you waiting for Nora Sinclair?”

He looked at her, a little puzzled. “Uh… yes, actually, I am.”

“I’m afraid she’s not coming back.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just saw her walk out of the restaurant.”

More puzzled, he peered over his shoulder toward the exit, his eyes scanning. He started to get up.

“Don’t bother,” she said. “It’s been a good five minutes now.”

He sat back down. “I don’t understand. Are you a friend of hers, or something?”

“No, I wouldn’t say that.” She slid into the chair that had been Nora’s. “Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions, though?”